You may know him as the “crazy man who lights himself on fire,” others know him as “Ghengis John the Human Firecracker.”

Why does he do it, you ask? For charity.

“I’ve been doing this for 17 years and have had 40,000 firecrackers explode off my body during performances last year,” said John Fletcher, a Livingston County resident. “People can think I’m crazy all they want, but I do it for charity. And that is the most important thing to me — helping local charities.”

However, you won’t see Fletcher doused in fireworks this year at the Howell Melon Festival, which begins Friday and ends Sunday.

Instead, you may see him dressed as Alice Cooper — his favorite artist.

Fletcher said his performance is family-friendly, and everyone will have a good time.

“It’s going to be great,” Fletcher said. “It will be around a 45-minute concert set, with around 10 costume changes, props and good music.”

The money from ticket sales — which cost $5 — will be donated to the Livingston County Humane Society.

Each year, Fletcher said he tries to donate to a different nonprofit organization.

“I go with my gut feeling each year, and this year I wanted the Humane Society because I just love animals,” he said.

Fletcher traded in his role as the human firecracker when he decided to focus on his personal life.

“Last year I ended (one of my) shows with a bloody nose and a concussion, but that wasn’t why I stopped,” Fletcher explained. “I recently reconnected with my biological brother and sister after searching to find them for 30 years.”

After years of searching, Fletcher came across information regarding his biological dad, which eventually led him to find his brother and sister.

“It was funny because my sister has lived in (Livingston County) for years and we have run into each other several times before we knew were siblings. … When we met up for the first time, we already knew each other from previous encounters,” Fletcher laughed. “I still want to contribute to events with my shows, but the human-firecracker performance was too time consuming, and I want to be around for my family.”

Fletcher is looking forward to the Melon Festival this year because he is excited to show the county “something different.”

“We have some really cool audio visuals for enjoyment,” he said. “It will be enjoyable for people of all ages. There will be no foul language and there will not be anything inappropriate. It’s all good and fun, and I believe everyone will enjoy the show myself and band members have to share.”